“There was a house on Elmer Street, in Bridgeton, that was raided about two weeks ago that was a house of prostitution and at least one person was taken out in an ambulance.

“Yet, nothing has been in the press.

“Why?

“I know for certain the prosecutor’s office was involved.’’

— keeping it real

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The Meischke Christmas Wonderland of Lights, a holiday-themed display featuring over 250,000 lights will be opened Thursday to Sunday, 6 to 9 p.m.

This year, the display is at the Finish Line Pub, located at the heart of New Jersey Motorsports Park, creating a walk through display behind the clubhouse.

Santa Claus will once again be available to hear Christmas lists and pose for pictures each night.

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In a report issued by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Lung Association, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights:

• Most states are falling short of funding levels for tobacco prevention recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The $459.5 million the states have budgeted amounts to just 12.4 percent of the $3.7 billion the CDC recommends for all the states combined.

• Only two states — Alaska and North Dakota — currently fund tobacco prevention programs at the CDC-recommended level.

Only three other states — Delaware, Wyoming and Hawaii — provide even half the CDC-recommended funding.

• New Jersey ties for 50th.

And we don’t even grow tobacco.

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The case of Alexander Centeno will be heard in Bridgeton Municipal Court today at 2 p.m.

Centeno pled not guilty to animal cruelty charges stemming from an emaciated Great Dane that was seized by SPCA cruelty agents from Centeno’s backyard on Nov. 20.

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Salem City is creating a new economic development committee to attract new business and investors to the city.

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Reporter Spencer Kent walked into a Salem City restaurant Wednesday and a customer offered to buy him breakfast.

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The Bridgeton Salvation Army started with 637 Angel Tags.

Each tag has the age of a child, the gender and one present he would like for Christmas.

There are at least half of the tags still at the mission.

Here’s the deal.

The toys have to be in by Monday because the sorting will start on Tuesday.

If you don’t have time to go out a buy a toy, the Salvation Army will do it for you.

Just drop off your donation to the mission on East Commerce Street next to the entrance to the city park.

By Monday at 3:30 p.m.

The Salvation Army’s hours are 8:30 to 3:30 p.m. today, Friday and Monday.

It’s a small window.

Will your donation change the life of a child?

We don’t know.

But it can’t hurt.

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MY KIND OF TOWN:Where nothing is sadder than a child without a toy for Christmas.